Los Angeles daily herald., 1887-08-28
THE FACTS.
The True Inwardness of the
Train Robbery.
THE ROBBERS HOME HERE.
How They Avoided the Police
and Went to Their
Daily Meals.
THE FACTS.
THE ROBBERS HOME HERE.

ger train was stopped and robbed at a
point fifteen miles east of Tucson, near
Papago station, Arizona Territory. A
switch is located near the spot where
the robbery occurred, from which a
track extends into a gravel pit near by.
The train was in charge of Engineer
Guthrie, and when he approached the
switch he observed a red light on the
track. The signal was that OF danger.
He slowed down, which is demanded
by the rules of the company, and only
had time to lie flat on
the floor as q volley OF
rifle and pistol shots were fired into
the locomotive cab. The engine left
the track, and Guthrie and his fire.
man Jumped out, ran down the bank
and hid in the brush. He saw but
two men, who stood not far off, fully
armed for the occasion. The postal
agent was forced to leave his car. The
express messenger was attacked, but
he held out and absolutely refused to
surrender.
They then blew open the door of the
car and secured $4,000. The robbers
then left, only stopping long enough
to fire volley of shots in the air.
These are the facts as they were at
first learned.
Detective Thacker, of Wells, Fargo
& Co., Immediately started for the
scene of the robbery, and soon learned
that Bill Taylor was the ringleader of
of the scheme.
On Amelia street, near the river
bottom stands small two-story cot
tage with very unassuming appear
ance, A week ago last Thursday a
man called at this cottage and rang
the bell. The landlady responded
and fellow bearing the appearance
OF typical cowboy was ushered into
the parlor. He gave his name as
Frank Taylor, and stated that his wife
was stopping at the Pico House. He
said that he was desirous of obtaining
suite of rooms for himself and wife.
He was shown couple of rooms,
which appeared to suit him. He
pulled out a large sack of gold and
handed the lady a five-dollar gold
piece in payment for a weeks rent.
The rooms were on the first floor and
opened on an alley-way. In the after
noon the cowboy reappeared with his
lady, and they occupied the rooms
that night for the first time. They
took with them no baggage
save an ordinary-sized valise and
guitar and violin. That evening
the man played the violin to the ac-
compartment of the guitar in the
hands of his fair companion. They
had no sooner taken possession OF the
rooms than they were under sur
veillance of on individual who watched
their every movement. Each day
they went to their meals in the morn
ing and in the evening. The woman
wore different dress every day, her
favorite colors being gaudy red,
light blue and checkered plaid. They
eat only at the Chinese restaurant, on
Commercial street, and at chop
house on Upper Main street. After
each meal they returned home as rap
idly as possible, and remained
secluded in their rooms the re-
mainder of the day. Mrs. Mar, the
landlady, held conversation
with her mysterious roomers.
Taylor told her that he and his
wife had been married seven months
and that formerly he kept saloon
in small town in New Mexico. He
said that he liked Los Angeles and
that he was in favor of investing
there. He didn't know exactly what
he would 90 into but favored opening
fruit store or a livery stable. On
Friday after dark an express wagon
drew up at the door and Taylor car
ried out his violin and musical instru-
ments and placed them in the wagon.
The vehicle drove down to Center
street near First and drew up in front
of a plain looking little one-story
shanty. The traps were moved into
the front room in which TAYLOR and
his woman were seated. The house
is rented by couple Of young ladies
who occupy the remaining rooms.
The front room was rented by Taylor
unfurnished. He purchased a set of
fine furniture which he placed in
the room. Shortly after they moved
there they were joined by three other
women and another man. They slept
on the floor at night. The room was
not provided with curtains and the
women used to pin up their dresses
when darkness fell in order to hide
their actions from the outside
world. In this house their move
ments were watched by the same per-
son who covered the other house, and
who Welded up the information last
night. The place was rented because
it was only a few yards to the Santa
Fe Depot, and in case they became
aware that they we're watched they
could easily board train and depart.
On last Thursday Detective Thacker
went out to Chief SINNERS residence
and told him that he wanted the
services of Officer Botello for a lew
days, and that official complied with
his request. Thacker took Botello
and walked down Main street, and on
the way Taylor and his woman were
encountered. The detective pointed
them out to the officer. He told him
not to lose their trail, and when he
telegraphed him to arrest them and
take them to him at Arizona. Botello
followed his instructions, but
the pair were afraid that they
were being watched, and did
not 90 home. Botello followed them
constantly and on last Thursday even
ing he received the dispatch. He ar
rested them and took them to the
county Jail. In the mean time they
got word to an attorney, who sued out
a writ of habeas corpus, but before it
could be served Botello departed for
Arizona on special train with his
captiyes. The other three women left
Ia H. house with TaYlOr'a accOmnlice